Commercial Building Disclosure (CBD)
Commercial Building Disclosure (CBD) is a national program designed to improve the energy efficiency of Australia’s large office buildings.
The disclosure requirements under the CBD program will commence on 1 November 2010.
The CBD program will ensure that credible and meaningful energy efficiency information is available to prospective purchasers and lessees of large commercial office space. Owners and lessors of commercial office space with a net lettable area of 2,000m² or more will be required to disclose energy efficiency information to prospective purchasers and tenants when the space is to be sold, leased or subleased.
Transitional Provisions
The legislation contains transitional provisions that will apply for the first twelve months of the program (i.e. from 1 November 2010 to 30 October 2011). During this period, a valid National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) Energy base or whole building rating, must be disclosed. After the transition period, a full Building Energy Efficiency Certificate (BEEC) is required to be disclosed.
Interview with Roger Walker, National Head of NB Sustainability
NBNews: What is NB Sustainability?
RW: Sustainability is not only about Corporate Social Responsibility; it’s responsible financial management.
Environmental and social sustainability initiatives directly impact the productivity and financial bottom line of running and occupying a property profitably; building, buying, tenanting, selling and demolishing.
Responsible sustainability is applying the right initiative at the right time to maximise corporate and financial returns during the life cycle of a property development.
Napier & Blakeley not only have the reputation and breadth of services to deliver this technically, their knowledge of the needs of both tenants’ and landlords’ also allows them to provide valuable strategic, positioning and portfolio priority advice.
NBNews: Are there differences between Tenant and Landlord Sustainability needs?
RW: Yes. The two perspectives are not necessarily mutually exclusive, but often opportunities are lost in the tenant and landlord relationship that could be leveraged with objective mediation. You need to work with a partner that understands where the best returns for your investment exist.
Owners need advice and due diligence that delivers the best market return on their property whether it’s during demolition, construction or refurbishment of existing buildings while tenants’ needs focus on their Corporate Social Responsibility commitments and maximising day to day productivity, such as energy use, recycling and staff wellbeing.
